Principal Planner (COM4)

State of Washington•Multiple Locations Statewide, WA

5d•Remote

About The Position

The Department of Commerce is seeking a Principal Planner to join the Local Government Division (LGD), specifically within the Growth Management Services (GMS) Unit. This role serves as the state's technical expert on the periodic update process required by RCW 36.70A.130, providing advanced expert level program administration, technical assistance, policy, and regulatory guidance. The position is responsible for reviewing comprehensive plans, critical areas ordinances, and development regulations for counties and cities in Washington State, ensuring the GMS Plan Review system remains current. The role involves significant outreach, workshop development, and direct technical assistance to local governments, particularly in Eastern Washington, requiring travel throughout a jurisdictional assignment in SE Washington. Additionally, the Principal Planner will manage grants, loans, and contracts, and provide backup support for plan reviews across the state. The Department of Commerce is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where innovation, community, and impact are prioritized. We believe in the strength of a diverse workforce and encourage bold thinking and collaboration to create real-world solutions that uplift people and places.

Requirements

Eight (8) years of combined experience and/or education in local or regional government planning, including areas such as writing/administering zoning code or development regulations, coordination/consultation with public officials, conducting data collection/analysis, and analyzing/reviewing policies, rules, and laws.
Qualifying education in urban and regional planning or a related field may substitute for experience year-for-year.
Strong working knowledge of Washington State’s Growth Management Act (GMA), 36.70A RCW.
Intermediate skill level in Microsoft Office Suite products including OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook.
Ability to display professional expertise by keeping technical skills current, effectively applying specialized knowledge, and sharing expertise.
Ability to allocate time and attention based on importance to achieve key goals and objectives, and organize/balance tasks and priorities.
Ability to handle uncertain situations professionally and reasonably, recognizing ambiguity and accepting calculated risks.
Ability to think critically through complex problems and information to identify effective solutions, and accept/build off the ideas of others.
Ability to make confident, timely, fact-based decisions, acting on them with calculated risk-taking.
Ability to communicate effectively by sharing information, listening, involving others, and clearly conveying ideas.
Ability to change interpersonal style and approach based on circumstance or audience, and work with all kinds of people and workgroups.
Customer Focus: Provide timely and professional service, be responsive to customer needs, and consider customer needs when making decisions.
Creating and Maintaining Networks: Make strong impressions, form lasting relationships, and have a positive and kind demeanor.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Washington State planning and plan implementation procedures.
Familiarity with local governance structures, including experience working with elected officials and staff at the local government level.
Experience with administration of state or federal grants.
Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), or ability to obtain AICP certification within two years of appointment.

Responsibilities

Lead the unit’s programmatic outreach and guidance for the periodic update process, serving as the statewide subject matter expert on the GMA periodic update process per RCW 36.70A.130.
Develop and maintain GMS unit guidance and checklists related to the periodic update process.
Develop, schedule, and coordinate informational workshops on comprehensive plan updates, development regulations, and critical areas ordinances.
Advise on requests for technical assistance related to the GMA periodic update, independently determining needs and providing appropriate assistance.
Complete and draft legislative bill analyses and testimony related to the periodic update.
Serve as the lead for rulemaking as it pertains to the periodic update.
Travel to conferences, forums, or workshops to present technical specialty topics and report observations and recommendations.
Review and analyze comprehensive plans, critical areas ordinances, and development regulations submitted by assigned jurisdictions in Eastern Washington, providing technical assistance and plan review comments.
Respond to GMA-related technical assistance requests from assigned jurisdictions outside of formal submittals.
Communicate with supervisor about alleviating temporary plan review workflow and bottleneck issues.
Develop and maintain ongoing professional relationships with staff in assigned jurisdictions.
Assist program coordinators in the coordination of GMA Short Courses, Planners’ Forums, conferences, meetings, and training opportunities.
Provide contract management for Growth Management and/or other planning grants administered by Commerce.
Develop, negotiate, and monitor financial packages for local governments, including scope of work and budget.
Oversee, review, and approve the expenditure of funds and the adequacy of deliverables against contracted scope of work and budget.
Analyze and review comprehensive plans, critical areas ordinances, and development regulations from counties and cities outside of assigned jurisdictions to alleviate temporary plan review backlogs.
Use independent, critical thinking to determine appropriate plan review comments and prepare feedback to local governments.
Determine existing need and communicate with supervisor about alleviating temporary plan review workflow and bottleneck issues as they arise.